ENGLAND’S BIG STRIKE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5245, 29 February 1928, Page 2

ENGLAND’S BIG STRIKE.

COST OF £4,000,000 TO UNIONS.

300,000 MEMBERS LOST. I>• z •

In 1926—the year of the general strike, —the registered trade unions of Great Britain suffered a toss of mem- ‘ bership of 300,00'0 and the heaviest expenditure to dispute pay ever experienced in any one year. Their funds were reduced from '£12,750,000 to £8,650,000. In one other year only have the unions suffered' such great inroads on their funds —in! 1921, when they disbursed £7,000,000 in unemploymeht pay. While 17s 8d per member was spent on various benefits 14s Id per member was spent on management and organisation. . .

These facts are set out in the report of the Registrar ,of Friendly Societies on tr.ade unions. ‘ ' The method of handling trade union funds is strongly commented on in the report, which says; “Heavy losses continued to be incurred owing’ to defalcations by trade union officials. Most of the defalcations arofie in the branches, and it is to be regretted that in spite of attention being drawn to the matter by the Registrar unions do not always adopt the ordinary business precaution of requiring guarantees from officers in receipt or charge of money. It is often apparent that the opportunity for dishonesty has been created by loose financial arrangements and lax control. A treasurer who had! been in office for 21 years defrauded the union of nearly £2300. Neglect duty by the auditors, trustees, and ' other officers of a branch enabled the secretary to defraud) the union of approximately £3000.”